On this day: January 23
POSTED: 02:26 PM PST Jan 22, 2013
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Jan 22, 2013
The deadliest earthquake in recorded history hits China, Duke Ellington plays Carnegie Hall, North Korea captures a U.S. Navy ship, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts its first class, all on this day.
Public domain
1909: The RMS Republic, a passenger ship of the White Star Line, becomes the first ship to use the CQD distress signal after colliding with another ship, the SS Florida, off the Massachusetts coastline, an event that kills six people. The Republic sinks the next day. CQD, which was established in 1904, would be replaced less than two years later by SOS because it's quicker to transmit.
